The Bureau of
Economic Geology is a subcontractor to D. B. Stephens & Associates
on a project designed to identify suitable parts of the state for
storing excess surface water in groundwater systems. The population
of Texas is expected to double in the next 50 years, and water demand
is projected to increase by 18 percent. With the decline in development
of new surface-water reservoirs because of adverse impacts on the
environment, groundwater managers are turning to artificial recharge
of groundwater, using? excess surface water to meet water needs
during times of drought. In this project suitable sites were evaluated
for artificially recharging groundwater using spreading basins adjacent
to streams. A statewide screening was conducted that included water
quality, regional water demand, aquifer characteristics (recharge
area, depth to groundwater), distance from surface water, and slope.
A total of 48 counties passed the statewide screening. Within six
regions of the state, more detailed analysis permitted evaluation
of water resources, water storage and conveyance systems, and infiltration
rate, area, and time period for infiltration. A successful site
should be high in soil permeability and located in topographically
flat areas, close to a stream. The results of this study provide
important information to water managers in the state on the potential
for groundwater banking.